The Elephant Company – Intermission Story (14)

James Howard “Billy” Williams went to Burma in 1920, fresh out of the service for WWI, for a position as a ‘forest man’. It was there he became increasingly educated on the intelligence, character and welfare of elephants.

When Japan invaded Burma in 1942, Williams joined the elite British Force 136. [a unit that today would compared to Rangers, SEALs and Delta Force]. Being older and wiser in the ways of the jungles, Williams’ tale of war and daring would become legendary.

In 1944, Lt.Colonel Williams, along with his Karen workers, uzis, elephant tenders, and the animals themselves made the stairway in Burma. They go upward, a sheer rockface escarpment, narrowly escaping the Japanese hot on their trail, through the mountains of Imphal.

While many times the massive beasts stood on their hind legs to scale an ascent that surpassed Hannibal in the Alps. All 53 elephants were successful and the workers and refugees alike followed close behind to the ridge and eventual safety.

Williams’ sketch of the ridge.

Years later, General Slim would say of the climb, “This is the story of how a man, over the years, by character, patience, sympathy and courage, gained the confidence of men and animals, so when the time of testing came – that mutual trust held.”

Williams and his company would continue in Burma to alter history with the 270 bridges built and erected to create the largest known Bailey bridge across the Chindurin at Kalewa in December.

Williams’ sketch for his memoir cover

James “Billy” Williams was awarded the Order of the British Empire in 1945. He would forever cherish his memories of the animals and the jungle, as shown in his memoir, “Elephant Bill” published in 1950. (originally titled, “1920-1946, Elephants in Peace, Love and War”)

Williams passed away on 30 July 1958, at the age of 60, during an emergency appendectomy operation. His son, Treve, had gone to Australia for veterinary school a year previous.

Williams’ sketch of the Bailey Bridge

This information and pictures were derived from “Elephant Company” by Vicki C. Croke.

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About GP Cox

Everett Smith served with the Headquarters Company, 187th Regiment, 11th A/B Division during WWII. This site is in tribute to my father, "Smitty."
GPCox is a member of the 11th Airborne Association. Member # 4511 and extremely proud of that fact!

This is a great book – history IS more interesting than fiction – stranger things happen!! I wish the schools would teach stories like these rather than having the students memorize names of generals and dates!

A good story to get motivation . I also have just started a blog which is full of some good poems and articles which i think you will like . So plzz follow my blog and give any suggestions if required , it will be very helpful for me !!https://bleedingthoughtsweb.wordpress.com

Yes, i will try to read. Since some months i am very interested in all the things happend and will happen in the asia region. Mid of the 1990th i was invited to a very special meeting. This time no one of the civilians thought about a crisis in Irak, Afghanistan, but these persons did. Best greetings, Michael

Great story! “Elephant Bill”….What a wonderful person. In my mind, there is a special place for those who care for animals in that way.
I actually LOVE elephants. They are so devoted to their group. I’ve even heard that they actually shed tears when one of their own dies. One of the saddest pictures that I’ve ever seen was of a baby elephant standing “sadly’ over the body of his mother. Very touching.
Thanks for the post 🙂

Thank you, Lady G. I saw something similar on TV when a mother stood over her dead baby that couldn’t make their long migration. One by one each member went by the baby, stood a moment and then left.
Frankly I get pretty ‘teed-off’ at people who use the term, ‘dumb animals’!! We can learn a lot from them!

What a story! As I’ve written before, the story of the war in Burma is all too often forgotten today. Amazing stories of heroism under unthinkable hardship came out of the Burma theater. Three cheers, GP! 🙂

When I went to Kenya, there was a remnant of the British colony. There are also ivory smuggling.
The elephant was majestic in Africa!
I hope these elephant here are reborn in Africa’s extensive ground!^_^

I can’t imagine elephants doing that kind of climb. One thing I wasn’t clear about—were they using the elephants to carry gear and people or were they just trying to protect the elephants from the war? (I assume the first, but I wasn’t sure.)